Just as the timeshare industry in the U.S has experienced steady growth in the past few years, so has the timeshare industry around the world.Many U.S timeshares have locations in other countries, and exchange companies and vacation clubs offer opportunities to trade for vacation time in destinations around the world. Values-driven travel, adventure and experiential travel encourage travelers to look for ways to connect with all people and cultures.Fasten your seat belts and join us for a tour of some news from the world of timeshare.

First Stop India

India's timeshare industry, much like what's happening in the U.S., has been urged to concentrate on meeting customers' needs. The All India Resort Association (AIRDA) India's equivalent to ARDA, is encouraging its members to put greater attention on the needs of its customers and their interests. Says AIRDA's Executive Committee chairman and principal advisor, B.S. Rathor, "Understanding a customer’s wish list helps us to match their needs with the kind of timeshare experience we have to offer. By studying emerging trends, changing influences and newer outcomes in the vacation landscape, we can help our member resorts market timesharing offerings in a meaningful and relevant way." Sound familiar?

Ramada Responds to Australian growth

One of Queensland’s most popular vacation ownership resorts, WorldMark Golden Beach Resort has been renovated and rebranded as Ramada Resort Golden Beach.Strategically located along Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the 130-room resort recently experienced a $1.5 million renovation. It will now operate as a mixed-use property serving WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham vacation owners, as well as regular hotel guests.

Southern Sun Resorts Keep Up with Technology

Southern Sun Resorts, a division of Tsogo Sun, just completed a successful installation of cloud-based enterprise software at its six upscale resorts located in South Africa's top destinations. The three-year installation by Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership uses one single platform to provide functionality throughout the resort and hotel operation from front desk check-in and property management, to annual levy collection and accounting.

Stiff penalties for Bangkok Timeshare Executives

Unfortunately, timeshare problems are also found globally. It's 20 years of prison for Bangkok's Blissher Holiday executives, Angsunee Pattananithi, Saengthong Sae Kim, and Unnop Kunsawate. They were convicted of convincing people to invest in their time sharing business, with the promise of free accommodations at leading hotels and resorts for four days each year throughout a 20-year period. Investors were also promised free fitness facilities, medical services and reduced prices for food—all to be arranged by Blissher Holiday. A total of 24,189 people went for the scam, which generated 826.27 million baht for the culprits. If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.